Heald frame holder for looms



Oct. 8, 1963 E. GEBl-IARDT` HEALD FRAME HOLDER Foa LooMs 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Dec. 14, 1960 oct. s, 1,963

Filed Dec. 14, v 1960 E, GEBHARDT lHEALD FRAME HOLDER FOR LOOMS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 "D Fig/f Illll Ilm L@Il

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United i States Patent O 3,106,229 HEALD FRAME HOLDER EUR LOMS EugenGebhardt, Ruti, Zurich, Switzerland, assignor to Ruti Machinery WorksLtd., formerly Caspar Honcg- This invention relates` `to heald frameholders for looms with lateral suspension of the heald frames (orshafts). It is known to provide the vertical side supports of thelframes each with projecting undercut lugs on which a heald frameengages by means of -two notch-engaging The suppont lugs on eithe-r sideof the heald frames are at a fixed distan-ce from each other. In theprior art embodiment, the holders `are each furnished with -twonotch-engaging noses which 'are likewise at a definite fixed spacedrelation adapted to the two support lugs on the heal-d frames such asshown for Iinstance in the British Patent No. 542,902. In order Itoprevent play as far as possible in the upward and downward movements ofthe heald frames, it is necessary to adapt the lugs and notchengagingnoses accurately to one another. This requirement Ibeing very diiiicultto salti-stay in actual practice, a certain amount of play is`frequently found likely to manifest itself very adversely at high loomspeeds, inthat the amount of play Igradually increases, because Iof lugsand notch-engaging noses becoming worn.

This ditiicul-ty becomes more serious due -to the fact that a certainholder should fit a large number of difierent heald frames, since theframes are interchangeable, whereas the holders remain in the machine. l

Therefore, instead of a form-locking coupling, `also a force-lockingcoupling has already been yadopted in that the aforedescribed playbetween the lugs and notchengaging noses was nullified by a spring, suchas shown inthe British Paten-t No. 453,346. However, this coupling Iwasfound less suitable for transmitting biginertia forces.

Nrow the present invention relates to a heald frame holder in which thedescribed disadvantages are obviated with certainty. The holder :isprincipally characterized in that only `one notch-engaging nose thereofis arranged in a fixed position, while 'the other notch-engaging nose ismovably designed and can be pressed against the associated lug of theheald frame by means of la toggle clamping device. Moreover, theinvention permits of adjusting the vertical position of the heald framesfrom an easily accessible point without the heald shaft drive having tobe slackened. Such devices for adjusting the vertical position are knownper se, but they do not lend themselves to combination with theaforenamed toggle clamping device.

Now this is possible with fthe device according to the invention in thatit includes, in accordance with a further feature, a clamping deviceadapted lto secure the heald fname to the drive or motion) by la devicefor fine adjustment of the lventical position of the frame.

Funther features of the invent-ion will appear from the followingdescription and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing which shows purely by way of example two forms of embodimentincorporating the invention.`

In said drawing:

FIG. l shows a front view of the end of 'a heald fname with thelaterally arranged lugs for fixing the same;

FIG. 2 is a lfront View and part-vertical section of a heald frameholder according fto the first form of embodiment, and the adjacent partof a heald frame;

FIG. 3 is a part-front view 'and part-vertical section of l a healdframe holder and the 'adjacent part of `a heald frame;

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2 FIG. 4 shows an end view from the right in FIG. 3 of l the 4healdframe holder alone, on a larger scale.

Referring to said annexed drawing, the heald frame 1 illustrated in FIG.1 possesses at both ends 2 (one only shown) an upper lug 3` and a lowerlug 4, each with a notch 5 'and 6 respectively for fixing 'the healdframe to the holders.

Each ofthe two holders 7 (one only shown in FIG. 2) includes a tubularrail 8 of rectangular cross-section with a slot-like 'opening- 9 forIthe entry of the lugs 3 and 4 of the heald frame. A rod 11 representingthe upper end of the heald shaft drive is firmly connected to said rail8, as by rivets 1d. 'Ilhe lower end `of the -rod 11 is connected to .theheald shaft driving arnangement.

The rail 8 has arranged therewith a tubular rail 12 lik wise ofrectangular cross-section. The two rails 8 and 12 each have a lug 8a and12a, and each of `said lugs having longitudinally tapped holes 8c and12C, respectively. A set-screw 13 is arranged said longitudinally tappedholes 8c and 12e for adjusting the rail 12 with respect Ito the rail 8.Two nuts 14 and 15 :serve to secure them in position to preventinadvertent turning of the screw bolt 13.

rPhe lower end of rail 12 has fixed thereto by rivets 17 -anotch-engaging nose 16 for engaging in the lug 4 on the side 2 of healdframe 1.

The top part of rail 12 has pushed thereinto a two-part rod 18 which islinked to the rail 12 through two levers 19, 2li in that the levers 19at one end is pivoted to the rod 18 and at Ithe other end to lever 2liwhich, in turn, is pivoted with a pin Zlib in the pivotal hole in thelug 12b on rail 12. The rod 18 possesses at its bot-torn end anotchengaging nose 21 for engaging lthrough the slot 9 and 12d openingon the outer rails 8 land the inner rail 12 respectively the lug 3 onthe side 2 of heald frame 1. The length of the two part rod 18 ofrectangular cross-section may be changed by la set-screw 22 `forming apart thereof and iixed by a lock nut 22a on screw 22. The adjacent endsof said two longitudinally arranged pants of rod 18 are similarlytapped.

The action of the described heald frame holder is as follows: Y

Let it first be assumed that the holder 7 is `separate from theassociated frame 1. On joining the frame 1 to the holder 7, 4at firstthe notch 6 of lug 4 Ion the frame is brought into engagement with Vtheassociated notch-engaging nose 16 of holder 7, while the rod 18 isbrought into its topmost position by raising the hand lever 20 by meansof levers 19. By lowering yt-he hand lever 20, the notch-engaging nose21 of rod 1S engages the notch 5 in lug 3i.

inasmuch as the spacing between the lug-s 3` and 4 is not constant foryall frames, land 'also may change in the course of time due -to wear,the frames may be mounted on rthe holders free from play by suitablyadjusting the length of rod 13 by means of the screw 22.

In `order to adjust the vertical position of the heald frame, the nuts14, 15 'are slackened, whereupon by turn- .ing the screw bolt 13, theclamping devicewith the heald frame 1 may be changed in relation to therod or heald drive shaft 11 without the clamping device having to bereleased.

In the second form `of embodiment according to FIG. 3, a heald frame isof conventional design. Each end of the fra-me has ltwo notched lugs 111land `1.12. Each of the holders (one only shown in FIGS. 3 and 4)includes a rail 113 of substantially U-shaped section, whose lower end.is coupled to la vertical tie-rod 114. The rod 1.14 is rigidly securedto the rail 1.13, as by rivets 115. The top Vof rod` `114 is designed asa notch-engaging nose 116 which engages a suitable notch in lug 112. Thebottom of rod 114 is joined to the means for driving the heald frame.

annessa The upper end portion of the guide rail 113 has a slide 117`arranged therein `for lengthwise movement. '111e slide 117 exhibits anelongated slot '113 engaged by a pin 119 which is fixed to the flangesof the guide rail 113 and serves for guiding the slide 1-1'7. The bottomend of slide 1117 is designed as a notch-engaging nose 12u which mayengage a `suitable notch in lug 1111.

The upper end of slide 117 has welded thereto a bolt 121 possessing ascrew-threaded portion. The latter is engaged by ian internally threadedsleeve 122 which is supported `in a guide tube 123 for longitudinaladjustment.

Both the tube 123 and the top of guide rail 113 are firmly connected toa carrier plate 124- having the guide lug 125 for the heald frame holderyaffixed thereto by rivets 1-25. The parts 113, 114, 123, `12dland 12dtogether constitute the holder body.

The bolt 121 is encircled by a coil compression spring 127 which, withone end, bears against the slide 117 and with the other end against theglide tube 123. Said spring 127 tends to push the slide 117 downwardsinto its effective position. By means of a hinge pin 12S, the top end ofthe threaded sleeve '122 is joined `to a link 129 which, in turn, isconnected through a toggle joint pin i139 to a clamping lever 131. Link129 and clamping lever 131 together constitute the toggle arrangement.The clamping lever 131 comprises two parallel legs having the link `129pivoted therebetween. The two legs of the clamping lever 131 havebetween them a cross-pin 132 arranged to press against Ka nose 133 onthe carrier plate 124. At the top the clamping lever 131 also hasbetween its legs an :abutment piece 134 which is provided for resting ona stop face 135 of the carrier plate 124.

The :action of the described heald frame holder is as follows:

Let it rst be assumed that the holder is separated from the 'associatedheald frame 110. On joining the frame to the holder, at first the lug112 is brought into engagement with the associated notch-engaging nose116. As the slide 117 is moved upwards by pull on lever 131 against theaction yof spring 127, the upper lug 111 of heald frame 111i is pushedinto the guide rail 113, whereupon release of lever 131 causes `thenotch-engaging nose 121i of slide 117 to become engaged with lug 1111 byaction of spring 127. This results in a provisional connection betweenframe and holder.

The frame 110 is then mounted on the holder free from play by rockingtheclamping lever 131 so as to cause the toggle joint pin 130 to movetowards the guide lug 126. Subsequent yto this, the orosspin `132 may beengaged with the underside of nose 133. Then the top of clamping lever131 is pressed against the guide lug 126, thus causing said lever 131 toturn :about the crosspin 132 and the toggle joint pin 4130 moves awayfrom the guide lug somewhat beyond the dead center position until theabutment piece 134 of the clamping lever lies against the stop face 135of carrier plate 1214, thus limiting the pivotal movement of lever y131in its clamped position. Through toggle action of the parts 129 .and131, the Ithreaded sleeve 122 with the bolt 121 is pressed downwards andthereby the slide 1.17 firmly pressed `against the lug i111 to thusmount the frame 11?` free from play in the holder.

In order to remove the frame i116 from the holder, the clamping lever131 is swung away from the guide lug 126, whereby the toggle `action isdiscontinued, whereupon the crosspin 132 `of the clamping lever mayreadily be disengaged from the nose 133. Then it is possible, again withthe `aid of lever 13.1, to withdraw the slide 117 upwards against theaction of spr-ing 127, whereby the notchengaging nose 120 Amoves clearof lug 111.

With the toggle `arrangement in the released position last described,the crosspin 132 of lever :131 may be brought into engagement with theupper surface of the nose 133. The spring 127 then securely holds thelever 131 in said position. In this way it is possible to secureyagainst inadvertent movement the clamping levers of such holders `as donot mount frames for certain weaving operations, in `order thereby toprevent mutual interference between the clamping levers of adjacentholders.

Since thc spacing between lugs 111 `and 112 is lnot constant for allheald frames and may even change in the course of time due to weer,possibility of readjusting the toggle arrangement is given by suitablyturning the threaded sleeve 122 on the threaded portion of bolt `121.Thereby the distance of the hinge bolt 1123 from the slide 117 changesaccording to the pitch of the thread. No -tool is required to :adjustthe threaded sleeve `122, it Imerely suffices to turn the lever 131after disengaging from the nose 133.

In a modification (not shown), the connection between slide 117 andhinge bolt 123 of the link 129 is not adjustfable. in that case the nose133 could be adjustably mounted on ythe plate 124 by means of aset-screw in spindle form `in order to make possible adjustment of theposition or" the notch-engaging nose 126 in the tensioned position ofthe toggle linkage 129-130, for `adaptation to the associated lug `111.

1t is understood that other changes and modifications may be made in theembodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from thescope of the invention as defined by 'the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. in ia loom having a heald drive shaft, an adjustable heald frameholder for holding rectangular heald frames of variable sizes, saidframes individually having opposite ends `and two similaroutwardly-extending lugs spaced symmetrically apart on each of saidframe ends, each said frame lugs having a notch defined therein, saidnotches of the same end being oppositely direct-ed, and said frameholder comprising two identical sides for holding each said frame end,each said identical part cornprising: rail means having two ends andsecured by one said end to the drive heald shaft for being driventhereby; opposed notch-engaging noses attached to said rail means andspaced longitudinally apart to respectively cooperating with and engagein said oppositely directed and spaced notches of said notched framelugs, one said nose being rigidly fixed, and the other said nose beinglongitudinally movable in sa-id rail means with respect to said fixednose; linkage means for slidably actuating said movable nose to lock andrelease said noses and said notches; and screw means for longitudinallymoving said movable nose to adjust the space between said longitudinallyspaced apart projections in order that said noses fully engage in saidrespective frame lug notches to immovably lock said noses in saidnotches, whereby each side of said heald frame holder is adjustable toengage the sides of a variety of heald frames having variably spacedlugs.

2. An adjustable heald frame holder as described in claim lcharacterized in that said rail means comprises: two tubular rails ofrectangular cross section and adapted to engage telescopically, one saidrail being the outer rail having two oppositely disposed outer rail endswith one said outer rail end being secured to said heald drive shaft,said outer rail having -a longitudinal slot-like opening intermediatesaid one and the other outer rail ends for the entry therein of saidframe lugs, and the other said rail being the inner rail having twooppositely disposed inner rail ends with one said inner rail endtelcscoping to a position adjacent said one outer rail end and havingsaid rigidly fixed nose attached to said one inner rail end and facingaway therefrom opposite a portion of said slot-like opening for the fullengagement of said rigidly fixed nose in one frame lug notch, and theother said end ou one side having a lateral lug extending outwardlytherefrom, said lateral lug having a transverse pivot hole; engagingmeans on the other ends of said outer and inner rails for adjustablyengaging and positioning said inner rail -and rigidly attached nose withrespect to said outer rail and a notched frame lug extending theret in;a length-adjustable rod means having oppositely disposed ends, slidablymounted in the other end of said inner rail, said one length adjustablerod end extending outwardly therefrom and the other length adjustablerod end defining said longitudinally movable nose; a hand ylever havingtwo oppositely disposed lever ends pivoted at one said lever end in saidtapped hole in the lateral lug of the inner rail and pivotally linleedintermediate said lever ends to said one end of said length-adjustablerod for longitudinally moving `said length-adjustable rod and saidmovable nose in said inner rail lwith said handle lever means to a fullyengaged position in the other frame l-ug notch thereby locking both saidnoses in respective frame lug notches and to a fully disengaged positionfrom said other frame lug notch, thereby unlocking both said noses andsaid frame end from said holder side.

3. An adjustable heald frame holder as described in claim 2characterized in that said engaging means on the other ends of saidinner and outer tubular rails comprises: a lateral lug extendingoutwardly on said outer rail and tapped longitudinally; a similarlateral lug extending outwardly on said inner rail and similarly tapped;a screw bolt engageable in said longitudinal taps of said lateral lugsfor longitudinally positioning the inner tubular rail with respect tothev outer tubular rail; lock nuts onsaid vscrew bolt between said innerand outer rail lugsysaid nuts for rotation to respectively contact saidlugs and lock said screw bolt with the lugs and integral rails inrelative position for engaging said one said frame lug notch.

4. An adjustable heald frame holder as described in claim 2characterized in thatlength adjustable rod means comprises: a two partrod of rectangular cross section having its parts [longitudinallyarranged in extension'of the other and adapted to slidably engage insaid inner tubular rail, the adjacent ends of said t-Wo longitudinallyarranged parts being similarly tapped; a screw threaded for its fulllength to simultaneously engage the tapped ends of said two part rod,the length of said two part rod being established by the rotation ofsaid screw and the unengaged length of said screw intermediate said longarranged parts; la lock nut on said screw intermediate said parts forrotation to contact a said part and lock said screw against rotationwhereby said two part rod means is lockably adjustable in length 'whensaid hand leverV means is moved to said fullyengaged position for saidlongitudinally movable nose to fully engage one said frame lug notchwhen the said iixed nose is fully engaged in the other said frame lugnotch.

5. An adjustable heald franre holder as described in claim y1characterized in-that said rail means comprise: a

rail of substantially U-shaped cross sections and having two oppositelydisposed ends, said heald drive shaft being rigidly attached to one saidnail end and in continuance thereof, and said heald drive shaft definingsaid iixed nose at said attached end; a slide having two ends andalongitudinal slot therebetween, said slide dening said movable nose onone said slide end extending toward said fixed nose and said slide beingVslidably mounted in the rail near said rails other end; a pintransversely lixed in said rail and engaging said longitudinal slot forguiding said slide in longitudinalmovement; a threaded bolt welded onthe other said slide end; an internally threaded A sleeve adjustablyengaging said threaded bolt; a guide tube iirmly connected to the otherend of said rail and slidably supporting said internally threaded sleevefor longitudinal movement; a carrier plate having a nose defined beyondthe other end of said rail and oi center therewith and having a stopface extending beyond said nose, said carrier plate being fastened tothe other end of said rail and to said guide tube; a guide Ilug for saidheald frame holder tixedly attached to said carrier plate; a coilcompression spring mounted on said threaded bolt intermediate said slideand said guide tube for biasing said slide and movable nose toward saidopposed iixed nose; a togglelink pivotally pinned at one end to saidinternally threaded sleeve; a Idouble legged clamping lever having twoends, one said end being pivotally pinned to the other end of saidtoggle link for moving said toggle link into and out of toggle lockedlassociation therewith; a cross pin secured to the legs of said clampinglever and positioned therebetween its legs and ends to engage said nosedefined on said carrier plate as van axis of rotation of said clampinglever; an abutment piece secured to the other and free end of saidclamping lever for limiting the movemnt of said clamping lever in onedirection of rotation to thereby lock said toggle joint and attachedsaid slide against longitudmal movement in a direction away from saidfixed notch `engaging nose, said clamping lever being limited inrotation in the other direction by its engaged end contacting saidcarrier plate to unlock said toggle joint to permit the slide andmovable nose to be longitudinally moved against said coiled spring biasto release said movable nose from a frame lug notch to disengage theother frame lug notch from said iixed nose.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,106,504 lLindquist Jan. 25, '1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 803,046 GermanyIFeb. 26, 1951 803,106 Germany Feb. 26, 1951 468,585 italy Jan. 26, 1952

1. IN A LOOM HAVING A HEALD DRIVE SHAFT, AN ADJUSTABLE HEALD FRAME HOLDER FOR HOLDING RECTANGULAR HEALD FRAMES OF VARIABLE SIZES, SAID FRAMES INDIVIDUALLY HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS AND TWO SIMILAR OUTWARDLY-EXTENDING LUGS SPACED SYMMETRICALLY APART ON EACH OF SAID FRAME ENDS EACH SAID FRAME LUGS HAVING A NOTCH DEFINED THEREIN, SAID NOTCHES OF THE SAME END BEING OPPOSITELY DIRECTED, AND SAID FRAME HOLDER COMPRISING TWO IDENTICAL SIDES FOR HOLDING EACH SAID FRAME END, EACH SAID IDENTICAL PART COMPRISING: RAIL MEANS HAVING TWO ENDS AND SECURED BY ONE SAID END TO THE DRIVE HEALD SHAFT FOR BEING DRIVEN THEREBY; OPPOSED NOTCH-ENGAGING NOSES ATTACHED TO SAID RAIL MEANS AND SPACED LONGITUDINALLY APART TO RESPECTIVELY COOPERATING WITH AND ENGAGE IN SAID OPPOSITELY DIRECTED AND SPACED NOTCHES OF SAID NOTCHED FRAME LUGS, ONE SAID NOSE BEING RIGIDLY FIXED, AND THE OTHER SAID NOSE BEING LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE IN SAID RAIL MEANS WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIXED NOSE; LINKAGE MEANS FOR SLIDABLY ACTUATING SAID MOVABLE NOSE TO LOCK AND RELEASE SAID NOSES AND SAID NOTCHES; AND SCREW MEANS FOR LONGITUDINALLY MOVING SAID MOVABLE NOSE TO ADJUST THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID LONGITUDINALLY SPACED APART PROJECTIONS IN ORDER THAT SAID NOSES FULLY ENGAGE IN SAID RESPECTIVE FRAME LUG NOTCHES TO IMMOVABLY LOCK SAID NOSES IN SAID NOTCHES, WHEREBY EACH SIDE OF SAID HEALD FRAME HOLDER IS ADJUSTABLE TO ENGAGE THE SIDES OF A VARIETY OF HEALD FRAMES HAVING VARIABLY SPACED LUGS. 